Brazilian · Dois Riachos, Brazil · Born 19 February 1986Brazilian footballer widely regarded as the greatest female player of all time, six-time FIFA World Player of the Year winner and all-time World Cup top scorer
Marta Vieira da Silva was born in Dois Riachos, Brazil in 1986 and overcame a childhood of extreme poverty to become the greatest female footballer in history. She has been named FIFA World Player of the Year a record six times (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2018). She played at six FIFA Women's World Cups (2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023) and scored 17 World Cup goals — the all-time record across both men's and women's tournaments, surpassing Miroslav Klose. She is Brazil's all-time leading scorer with over 115 international goals. She played for Umeå IK, where she won two UEFA Women's Cup titles, and spent years in the NWSL and National Women's Soccer League. She scored on her final World Cup appearance in 2023 at age 37. Her ability to play as an attacking midfielder or second striker, combined with exceptional dribbling and goal-scoring instinct, made her the defining player of her generation. She was named in the FIFA World Cup All-Time Team for the women's tournament.
Most goals scored in FIFA Women's World Cup history (17 goals)
How They Played
Creative attacking midfielder/forward with exceptional dribbling, vision, and clinical finishing ability
Lasting Impact
Widely regarded as the greatest female footballer of all time, inspiring generations of women's football players globally
Career Honours
- FIFA World Player of the Year 2006,2007,2008,2009,2010,2018
- Olympic Silver Medallist 2004, 2008
- FIFA Women's World Cup Golden Boot 2007
- Copa America 2003
- Copa America 2010
- Copa America 2018
- Pan American Games Gold 2003
- Pan American Games Gold 2007
| Club | Period | Fee | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vasco da Gama | 2000–2002 | — | 16 | 4 |
| Santa Cruz | 2002–2004 | — | 38 | 16 |
| Umeå IK | 2004–2008 | — | 103 | 111 |
| Los Angeles Sol | 2009–2009 | — | 19 | 10 |
| Santos | 2009–2010 | loan | 14 | 26 |
| Gold Pride | 2010–2010 | — | 24 | 19 |
| Santos | 2011–2011 | — | 12 | 13 |
| Western New York Flash | 2011–2011 | — | 14 | 10 |
| Tyresö | 2012–2014 | — | 38 | 27 |
| Rosengård | 2014–2017 | — | 43 | 23 |
| Orlando Pride | 2017–Present | — | 138 | 44 |
 Brazil | — | — | 180 | 117 |
Brazilian Athletes